Slay My Love

by Lee Colgin

  “You’re telling me the truth.”

  It wasn’t a question, but Gianni answered anyway. “Yes. Rather kind of you to finally start believing me.”

  “You could have compelled me back there. I felt it in my spine. I wouldn’t have been able to resist.”

  “I would never do that to you unless I had to. I only want the real you. I don’t want an imposter.”

  Richard had nothing to say.

  Gianni was in a contemplative mood and embraced the quiet. He’d come very close to losing Richard. He wouldn’t let that happen again. How could such a man be convinced to leave the Scourge?

  Pulling up to a Hampton Inn three towns from Bristol Springs, Gianni got out at the lobby and left Richard to park the car. He booked the room for two nights—so they’d have a safe place to spend the day—and requested extra blankets. By the time the clerk handed him an armful, plus two key cards, Richard had entered the lobby and was hanging back, waiting for him. Probably for the best. Gianni wasn’t about to try and explain the blood on his shirt to the clerk.

  “What’s with those?” Richard indicated the blankets as they made their way to the room.

  “They’re to go over the curtains and block out the light.”

  Richard opened the door for them. “Oh, right. I’ll help.” He took a blanket and shook it open.

  Gianni scanned the room. It had a boring, modern look: two double beds, sleek dark furniture, flatscreen TV, white walls with weird abstract paintings, and a bathroom off to the side. Dull but sufficient. He saw their reflections in the large mirror over the dresser: two ordinary-looking men, unfolding blankets in the cold unremarkable room. They could have been anybody. Business associates, travel buddies, lovers. Husbands.

  “You okay?”

  Gianni was torn from his thoughts. “Yeah, just thinking. You?”

  “I’m okay.” Franklin handed Gianni a corner of the blanket and stood on the chair nearest the window. “What were you thinking about?”

  Gianni dragged another chair over and tucked his side of the blanket up and over the frame, bunching it in the gap and letting the rest hang as a double barrier. “I’m wondering what you’re going to tell your boss. What will that other slayer say?”

  Richard followed his lead with the blankets, and together they blocked out all the gaps where light could get in. “I don’t know. Maybe nothing. Hutch isn’t about to brag about a vampire he didn’t get to kill.”

  “But if you don’t show up in the morning, will they come looking for you? I told Hayleigh I was okay. There’s no one you need to tell?”

  “I usually report to the chief.” Richard shrugged.

  “So call him.” They were done with the blankets and stood facing each other.

  “And say what? ‘I’m at a hotel with a vampire. Don’t worry. He’s friendly?’ No way.”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of a family emergency or something. Like, sorry, you were out of your mind, but you had to get to dear Aunt Edna before she fell into a coma and died. I don’t know. What would they believe?”

  “Not that,” Richard laughed with a smile. “Look, it’s fine. I’ll come up with something when we get back. I don’t want to think about the Scourge right now.”

  Richard’s emerald eyes were sparkling, drinking him in with unchecked greed. Gianni would feel better if he was sure Richard’s boss wasn’t out searching for him. What if they spotted the car? But the look Richard was giving him was hard to ignore. Maybe they could put off the excuses for a while.

  Richard stepped toward him and took his waist. His warm hands felt divine sliding up Gianni’s ribcage. He wanted this, but he had to be certain Richard did too, without the draw of his blood.

  “Are you sure?” He tried to keep the vulnerability from his voice, but the question came out rough.

  Richard didn’t falter. “I am. Are you?”

  “God, yes.” Gianni fell into his arms against his chest, tilting his head up to be kissed. Richard’s lips on his sent a tingle through his body. He placed his hands on Richard’s shoulders and squeezed, reveling in their strength. Here was a body he could appreciate. Toned and trim but powerful. Bigger than Gianni and unmistakably masculine. Hard in all the right places.

  Richard kissed with the enthusiasm of a teenager and the technique of a lover who’d had the time to learn what he liked. The combination made Gianni’s head spin. He lost himself, opening his mouth for Richard’s tongue and sucking it against his own. He shivered at the thought that this was only the beginning. They had the privacy of the hotel, and Gianni had the slayer all to himself.

  Gianni whimpered into Richard’s mouth and released him for a breath. Their eyes locked. “Take me to bed.”

  “Gladly,” Richard answered. In one motion, he scooped Gianni into his arms. He kissed him again and gently laid him on the mattress. “Let’s get these out of the way.” Bracing one hand on Gianni’s calf, he pulled off the designer boot. Gianni watched, leaning back on his elbows as the other calf and boot got the same treatment. Richard looked even more sexy at Gianni’s feet, stripping off each sock.

  Gianni sat up and reached for Richard, pulling him in and opening his legs as the slayer’s weight settled against his chest.

  “You’re so handsome.” Gianni ran his hands along Richard’s back, memorizing the feel of every curve. “I’ve wanted you since that first night.”

  “You licked me that night.”

  Gianni grinned. “Foreshadowing?”

  Richard swiped his tongue along Gianni’s cheek. “You’re delicious.”

  Gianni hooked his legs over the back of Richard’s powerful thighs and thrust his hips up, seeking friction. He found the answering hardness against his own as Richard moved with him. Their lips met. Gianni untucked Richard’s shirt and slid his hands under the fabric, fingers seeking the smooth skin beneath. He ran them along either side of Richard’s spine, sucking his lower lip into his mouth. Their pace quickened, a promising tease.

  Gianni broke off the kiss with a delighted giggle. “You’re too much. I could come like this, if you keep it up. Could you?”

  “Yes,” Richard breathed into the skin of his neck, mouthing wet kisses along his collarbone. His hips driving down into Gianni’s never faltered, their rhythm perfection.

  “That’s hot.” Gianni reached down to squeeze Richard’s ass, to press them even tighter together. “I want more. Take my clothes off, Richard. Take yours off, too.”

  For a moment, Richard only pressed his face into Gianni’s neck, hiding himself as their motion stilled. Gianni was about to ask what was wrong when Richard surged up over him, dislodging Gianni’s legs as he sat back on his heels. He started with the pants, bunching the peach blouse up around his ribcage while undoing the button and zipper. Gianni lifted his hips to help Richard pull them down his thighs and off his legs.

  Sitting up to help with the rest, Gianni pulled off his own shirt, then helped Richard with his. They worked together, clothes flying. There was so much beautiful skin, Gianni didn’t know where to start, what to touch first. Richard was every bit as gorgeous underneath those clothes as he’d thought. Gianni let his hands trail over Richard’s pecs, his lovely pink nipples, the ridges of his abdomen. He pushed Richard down onto his back. It was his turn to be on top.

  Richard went gracefully, holding Gianni’s hips in each hand as Gianni straddled his thighs.

  “So this is what you’ve kept hidden under those dreadful work clothes,” Gianni teased, a finger running straight from Richard’s sternum, over his belly button, and down the fine brown trail of hair leading to his swollen cock. “Gorgeous. I should have asked you to get naked for me sooner.”

  Richard smiled under him, squeezing Gianni’s hips. “Nothing compared to you.”

  “Don’t be humble.” Gianni mapped circles around Richard’s cockhead, smearing a bead of wetness from the tip to the frenulum before taking the shaft in hand. He watched Richard’s face for clues as to how he li
ked it, and oh, Richard liked it. His mouth dropped open, green eyes drifting closed as a huff of breath escaped his lips. Gianni’s grip was firm, working him smoothly, with enough pressure right under the glans to pull a sweet moan from his lover.

  Gianni licked his free hand and switched his grip, adding a coating of saliva to Richard’s cock and gliding his palm from base to head.

  Richard’s eyes flew open, and his hands went from Gianni’s hips to his lower back. He growled, “Come here.”

  Gianni lowered himself to Richard’s chest and opened his mouth for kisses.

  “Are you trying to make me come embarrassingly fast?” Richard asked between nibbles on Gianni’s lips.

  “You’re so sexy like this. I can’t resist.”

  Richard pushed him up, making room, and slid his hand between them. “Let me touch you.”

  “You don’t have to.” Gianni was suddenly concerned. “I mean, you’ve never done this with another guy, have you?”

  Richard actually laughed. “You’re worried about that? Don’t be. I’m not.”

  Gianni squirmed as Richard’s warm hand encircled his erection and gave an experimental tug. A promising start. He felt the electric buzz down to his toes. As Richard explored him, he couldn’t drag his eyes away. Seeing his own flushed pink glans appearing and disappearing in Richard’s hand short-circuited his brain. Richard set a tight, fast pace. Gianni stopped thinking and let himself feel the body beneath him, hard under his thighs. The hand gripping him, hot around his shaft. Richard’s other hand squeezed his thigh, grounding him.

  Gianni rocked in Richard’s lap, hips undulating with the demanding rhythm. He basked in Richard’s gaze, stretching his body and preening under the attention. Gianni brought his own hand back to his mouth and watched Richard’s pupils dilate as he licked it wet. He took Richard’s cock and pressed it against his own, gripping them together.

  His own sensitive flesh, squeezed to Richard’s, brought a new level of enjoyment he felt to his core. Richard followed his lead. It’d be scorching with less friction, so he took Richard’s hand and licked it as well.

  Richard moaned as Gianni sucked each finger into his mouth one at a time. He coated Richard’s hand with saliva, then returned it to their shafts. Together, they stroked.

  Gianni let Richard set the pace, moving quickly with a tight grip. Gianni felt it to his core.

  “So good,” Richard said, eyes never leaving their hands.

  Gianni leaned forward, propping himself up, and brought their faces closer. Not close enough to kiss, but enough for him to study each subtle change in Richard’s expression as he approached the edge.

  Witnessing this uptight, rigid man open up so beautifully beneath him was exhilarating. That he liked it hard and fast was no surprise. Richard gripped tight, and Gianni matched his strength. Not his usual preference, but tonight it was splendid.

  Richard was nearly there. His eyes begin to flutter, then close, and his belly tensed, head tilted back. When he squeezed his lids shut, Gianni knew he was trying to hold back.

  “Don’t wait. Come for me. I want to see you.” Gianni’s voice was low and dripping honey, sugar sweet on Richard’s cheek.

  Richard came in a rush with a wild thrust almost unseating Gianni from his perch. Thick creamy spurts coated their hands and Richard’s chest. Their rhythm slowed, Gianni following Richard’s motions expertly, milking him for all of it.

  Gianni wanted to lick the cum from his pecs, but that could wait. Now he enjoyed the view of Richard coming down from his high in slow increments. His breathing returned to his control, and his gorgeous green eyes opened to Gianni’s lust-filled gaze.

  “That was magnificent,” Gianni gasped, and Richard flushed under the praise.

  “Now you.” Richard gave Gianni’s cock a firm squeeze. “What do you want?”

  “Let me come on you. I want to see mine mixed with yours.”

  “Yes.” Richard smirked, looking drunk on the thought. “Me too. Tell me how you like it.”

  Gianni placed his hands on either side of Richard’s head and sat back on his haunches, pinning Richard in with his body.

  Richard’s hand slid easily over him now, his cum slicking the way.

  “Slower.”

  Richard slowed. “Like that?”

  “Mmm, yes. And twist your wrist at the end. Oh, god. Keep doing that.”

  It wouldn’t be long. He was so hot for it. Richard was underneath him, relaxed and pliant, his hand working him smoothly. Green eyes on hazel. Gianni would keep his eyes open. He wanted to watch Richard bring him off. He didn’t want to miss a second of his reactions, documenting them all for future exploration. Oh, the things he wanted to do with his sexy, sweet man. Everything.

  Gianni felt the bone-deep sensation begin to overtake him. He held on, riding the peak of the wave as long as he could before crashing over it, mindless in his pleasure.

  “Fuck, yes. Please…” he breathed, body tense, coming over Richard’s hand and onto his chest. “Fuck.”

  Their eyes never wavered, the passion in Richard’s gaze adding to the intensity of his orgasm. Heedless of the mess between them, Gianni collapsed into Richard’s arms and kissed his lips, licking into his mouth.

  Richard returned the kiss, holding him in a strong embrace. For a moment, neither moved, their mouths pressed together, breathing in unison, cum mixing together between their chests. Then, slowly, Gianni let his head fall to the side, pressing his face to Richard’s neck and taking a deep breath.

  Everything was hot and sticky, and Gianni couldn’t find a reason to care, not when this was perfect. Their bodies fit together like they were meant for each other, legs tangled over the bedspread. Gianni kissed his neck and shivered when Richard trailed his hands along his lower back and over his ass.

  “Next time. Promise me.”

  “Hmm?” Richard asked.

  Gianni pressed his ass firmly into Richard’s hands and moaned until he got it.

  “Oh. Oh.” Richard smiled. “Anything. Whatever you want. I promise.”

  Gianni grinned. “I’ve been told I’m insatiable. Don’t make promises you may not be able to keep, Richard.”

  14

  The Chip

  Franklin

  Richard.

  Hearing the fake name flow from Gianni’s lips with such obvious pleasure made Franklin’s stomach churn. He couldn’t tell the vampire now; it would break his heart. Gianni trusted him, and Franklin didn’t deserve it. The guilt ate at his insides like a vulture ripping pieces off a carcass.

  For a glorious moment, Franklin had forgotten what an asshole he was. Instead, there had only been blissful floating in a magical world where he loved and was loved. He held Gianni, still trembling in his arms, and kissed his spicy flesh, and everything was right in the world—until it wasn’t.

  Richard.

  In the morning. He vowed to tell Gianni the truth in the morning.

  For the next few hours they would shower and sleep. They’d cuddle and enjoy each other. Then sometime, after Gianni woke up, Franklin would tell him everything and beg for forgiveness.

  For now, he held his lover close and wished he wasn’t such a goddamn douchebag. Gianni deserved better, and Franklin would be better for him. He would.

  Gianni stirred in Franklin’s arms, rising from his chest and dropping a quick kiss to his lips. “Shower with me?”

  Franklin couldn’t say no. They took turns washing each other under the hot water, lingering longer than was strictly necessary, eager to explore all this new naked flesh between them. Gianni’s slender form was lightly muscled: hard beneath the lithe plains of his back, soft at the supple rise of his behind. When their skin began to prune, they climbed out and dried off. Franklin wiped the steam from the mirror to check the bite wound on his neck, but there was nothing to see, like the brawl had never happened.

  “Gianni, is this normal? Does vampire blood really heal wounds this completely?”

  Gianni ran
his fingers over the perfectly healthy flesh of Franklin’s throat. “Not exactly. My blood is different.”

  “Different how?”

  “Just more powerful medicinally, and with less of it.” Gianni stroked Franklin’s neck where the bite would have been, then down over his shoulder to his bicep. He wrapped his fingers around the solid muscle and squeezed. “A normal vampire would have been able to save you, but at greater cost to himself, and there’d be a scar.”

  “What kind of vampire are you?”

  “Oh, come on, you’re bound to know. You tell me.”

  “You were born a vampire, weren’t you? Your heart beats, you’re warm… You’re alive, right?”

  “Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Also, I can eat. And I’m hungry.”

  Franklin wanted to know more, but if Gianni didn’t want to talk about it, he wouldn’t push. “Yeah, me too. I doubt there’s room service at two a.m. Vending machine or twenty-four-hour grocery store?”

  “Vending machine, I don’t want to go anywhere that involves pants.”

  “I’m pretty sure pants are required even for the vending machine. I’ll go. What do you want?”

  “Chips, candy, whatever? You pick. Do you need money?”

  “No, I’ve got it.” Franklin found his pants discarded on the floor with the rest of their clothes and put them back on. Reaching into his pocket for his wallet, he felt the vial. Gianni’s blood. At once he felt both guilty and thirsty. Gianni wasn’t wrong, Franklin definitely felt compelled to drink from him again. Hopefully, that would fade. He ignored it, shoving the vial deeper into his pocket, and grabbed his wallet.

  “Be right back.” Franklin padded down the hall toward the lobby and bought half the vending machine. He wanted Gianni to have choices. The plastic bags crinkled as he balanced the tower of junk food in his arms.

  Arms full, he tapped on the door with his knuckle, which Gianni opened, still stark naked. Franklin grinned, thinking of round two, but first, they should eat.

  Later, settled on the second bed, empty junk food wrappers spread at their feet, Franklin and Gianni cuddled together against the headrest.